Is that a synth in your pocket, or..?

New cartridge-based pocket synthesizer ZONT announced

The device will feature four different sound engines that can be swapped in and out like Game Boy cartridges

Question: what do you get if you cross a synth, a handheld games console and a Lego brick? Answer: ZONT!

ZONT is a new pocket synthesizer from music tech start-up Zont Sound that has just been announced, and that will be available towards the end of 2017. In size and shape, the smartphone-sized device is not dissimilar to Teenage Engineering's successful range of pocket synths, but there's one key difference. Instead of buying multiple devices to cover rhythm, bass and lead sounds, ZONT uses interchangeable cartridges, similar to those used in gaming devices, to offer four different sound engines: red for lead, yellow for bass, green for rhythm and purple for noise.

This gives you the ability to create and sculpt all manner of sounds while on the move, and there's also a built-in sequencer to let you string sounds together. Then, when you want to use those sounds in a full-blown studio production, you simply slip the ZONT into its docking station, which offers RCA, MIDI, USB-C and 3.5mm jack outputs, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

There's no word yet as to pricing, but don't expect it to be cheap. Then again, with over a year till the proposed release date, you've got a while to save up!